This simple fall dessert is made with crescent roll dough and pumpkin pie filling. Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Twists are twisty, sweet, and perfect for a cozy autumn treat.
I’m a big fan of air fryer desserts because they’re quick, convenient, and forgiving. These pumpkin pie twists are a great seasonal recipe that’s easy to make and fun to serve. Soft crescent roll dough is filled with pumpkin pie filling, twisted, brushed with butter and cinnamon, then finished with a light orange glaze. Kids and adults both love them.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe with exact measurements and timing appears below in the recipe section.
For the pumpkin twists:
- Crescent dough sheet or crescent roll dough — use a prepared dough sheet or a can of crescent roll dough. Puff pastry sheets can also work for a flakier result (cooking time may vary).
- Pumpkin pie filling — canned pumpkin pie filling is convenient; if using plain pumpkin puree, add pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon and sweetener to taste.
- Salted butter — melted. If you use unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the cinnamon mixture.
- Cinnamon — ground cinnamon to sprinkle on the twists; you can substitute pumpkin pie spice for a more pronounced pumpkin flavor.
For the glaze:
- Powdered sugar — for a smooth glaze.
- Orange juice — a small splash adds brightness. If you prefer a classic glaze, use milk or cream instead.
How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Twists
Follow these steps to assemble and cook the twists. Exact measurements and times are provided in the recipe card below.
- Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (or 325°F if your air fryer does not have 320°F).
- Step Two: Unroll the dough and smooth any perforations by pinching the dough to form a continuous sheet. Work on a lightly floured surface.
- Step Three: Cut the dough sheet into four even squares. Divide the pumpkin pie filling in half and spread it evenly over two of the squares.
- Step Four: Place the remaining two dry squares over the filled squares to create two sandwiches with the filling sealed inside. Align the edges so corners match up.
- Step Five: Cut each sandwich square into four even strips, producing eight long strips total.
- Step Six: Twist each strip from top to bottom, keeping the layers together so the filling stays inside.
- Step Seven: Brush the twists with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice).
- Step Eight: Arrange the twists in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for about 9 minutes or until golden brown. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer.
- Step Nine: While the twists bake, whisk powdered sugar and orange juice together to make a smooth glaze.
- Step Ten: Remove the twists, drizzle with glaze, and serve warm.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover twists in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Wrap them in aluminum foil or place in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave to soften quickly, or re-crisp in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore texture.
Variations and Substitutions
These twists are versatile. Try one of these variations to tailor them to your taste:
- Adjust the amount of pumpkin filling to taste — less for a lighter filling, more for a richer center.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans and a sprinkle of brown sugar to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
- Use puff pastry sheets instead of crescent dough for a flakier, more layered result; increase baking time slightly and monitor to avoid overbrowning.
- Cut the twists in half before baking for smaller, bite-sized pastries.
- Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice instead of plain cinnamon for a deeper autumnal flavor.
- Modify the glaze by changing the liquid — orange juice gives a citrus note, while milk or cream yields a classic sweet glaze. You can also dust with powdered sugar only.
Serving Ideas
These twists are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with several dips and toppings:
- Serve with a pumpkin spice dip or a cinnamon cream cheese dip for dipping.
- Offer warm caramel sauce or butterscotch sauce for a sticky, indulgent option.
- A drizzle of warm hot fudge can make them an extra decadent dessert.
Oven Instructions
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the twists in a 375°F oven. Follow assembly directions, then bake for approximately 8 to 11 minutes or until golden brown, watching closely since ovens vary.
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Twists
Servings: 8 | Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 9 minutes | Total time: 24 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) crescent dough sheet or crescent roll dough
- 1/4 cup pumpkin pie filling
- 2 tbsp salted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 to 1 tbsp orange juice (or milk/cream)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (or 325°F).
- Roll out the dough sheet and smooth any perforations so you have a continuous sheet.
- Cut the dough into four even squares. Spread half the pumpkin pie filling across two squares.
- Top each filled square with a dry square to make two sandwiches, aligning edges evenly.
- Cut each sandwich into four even strips, yielding eight strips in total.
- Twist each strip from top to bottom, keeping layers together.
- Brush twists with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Place twists in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for about 9 minutes or until golden brown.
- Whisk powdered sugar and orange juice together to make a glaze. Drizzle over warm twists and serve immediately.
Notes
If your air fryer does not go to 320°F, set it to 325°F. Cooking times may vary by appliance, so check for a golden brown color and adjust as needed.
Nutrition (estimate)
Per serving (approximate): Calories 215; Carbohydrates 27 g; Protein 1 g; Fat 11 g; Saturated fat 5 g; Sugar 8 g; Sodium 187 mg. This is an estimate and not a substitute for professional nutrition advice.
These pumpkin pie twists are an easy way to bring seasonal flavor to a simple pastry. They’re quick to assemble, bake up beautifully in the air fryer, and make a lovely warm dessert or special breakfast treat.